The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-16

subject to withdrawal, after a longer or
shorter enjoyment of it ? Shall we eat
out our hearts, when for ten, or twenty,
or forty, or eighty years, we have the
free use Of great capital Of untold
blessing, because we become unable to
enjoy it for a longer period Shall we
be ungrateful for all the joys of the
earthly life, because in the nature Of
things they cannot last forever? 80,
that men would praise the Lord for his
goodness, and for his wonderful works
to the children of men," in the ordi-
nance of life, with all its blessings,
though conditioned in earthly taber-
nacles, which in due time will perish.
But while we live, our enjoyments
are not continuous and perfect. Acct
dent, ignorance, heredity, social con-
tact, appetite, wilfulness, produce dis
turbance of bodily health, if not pre-
mature death, and with these anxiety
and grief. Pain qualities our pleasure,
and sorrow our joy. Some, with the
wisdom of conceit, do not hesitate to
say that if they had had the making of
the world, or if truly loving Father
had ordained the laws of earthly being,
the body would have been made inca
pable Of sickness and pain. That is
only saying once more that the human
body ought to have been made other
than it is. Perhaps they know some
way by which nervous system shall
give sensations of pleasure when in con-
ditions of health, and yet shall give no
sign when disordered. Perhaps they
know some way by which delicate
| structure like that of our bodies may
be rendered incapable of being disor-
dered. Perhaps they can make harp
of a.thousand strings, much less deli
cate than those of the instrument of
human activities, which can keep in
tune forever.
The harmonious vibration of the
nerves, the telegraphic system of the
body produces comfort and pleasure
their discordant vibration discomfort
and pain. The psychologists discern
the utility of pain, as giving notice of
disease, and calling for attention and
healing. 1t is challenge to the suf-
ferer, nay, to the suffering race, to ex-
ert all the powers Of mind to seek out
means of prevention and cure. If one
exclaims at the inheritance of causes
of suffering, let him offset this with all
the blessings that come through the
hereditary law, and he may find intel
lectual repose. Through that law we
have inherited life and all our faculties
and capacities, and our capabilities of
enjoyment. Whether sturdy or a
frail constitution is bequeathed to any of
us, whatever natural blessings we en-
Joy come to us from the long ancestry
which preceded US. 1t might be ex-
pected that if the fountain of life be
pure and healthful, the life will be
strong and pleasurable; if it be poisoned
in whatever degree, to that degree it
will be weak and unpleasurable. But
life with the frailest tenure is blessed !;
and the cases are relatively few, and
when they occur they shock US, where
any human being would wilfully end it.,
when suicide does occur it results from
disturbance of the cerebral system, or
insanity or from reckless violation Of
the laws of life.
Pain is our mentor, our monitor,
our teacher, by which our lessons in
one department are prescribed; our dis
ciplinarian correcting us for our mis-
takes or our faults, checking our SEN
sual appetites, compelling us to heed
the material laws of our being. If we
do not heed, or if the disease is too
deeply seated for the power of bodily
resistance, death comes, welcome or
unwelcome; recognized as the avenger
of natural law, or the deliverer of life
from painful conditions. But 30, that
men would praise the Lord for his
goodness, and for his wonderful works
to the children of men," in the ordi-
nance of the laws of our material be-
ing, of the physiological and the hered-
itary law, the laws of our pleasure,
though qualified by pain They bless
us continually. We are what we are
naturally, through them; and he who
will look beneath the surface of their
manifestation, he who is as thankful
for enjoyment as he is critical of dis
comfort, will discern their wealth of
blessing, and join in songs of grateful
praise.
You will observe that have spoken
Of these things wholly in their natural
aspect; of their blessing were we only
mortal beings; how they ought to be
viewed regardless of Christian faith.
What ought the Christian believer to
say of pain and death ? How can he
fall into gloom and darkness, how can
he speak in respondent strains, in view
of death, or beside the remains of one
who has passed awayp DR.. Watts,
perhaps, inconsiderate of the full mean
ing of his utterance, gave the true key